Device for twisting and aligning terminal posts of an electrical connector

ABSTRACT

A device for twisting as well as aligning the terminal posts of an electrical connector is disclosed. The device comprises a number of tubular elements located to correspond to the terminal posts of a connector and having interior cross sections similar to the cross sections of the posts. Each tubular element has a small pinion gear attached thereto and is located to operate with a rack so that the rack can impart rotational motion to the tubular elements. A second embodiment comprises laterally extending arms connected to the tubular elements which are movable for imparting rotational motion.

United States Patent [72] lnventors FrankG.Spadoni,Jr.

Orange, N.H.; Michael P. Kleban, Oakville, Conn. [21] Appl. No. 760,404[22] Filed Sept. 18, 1968 [45] Patented May 25, 1971 [73] AssigneeLitton Precision Products, Inc.

Beverly Hills, Calif.

[54] DEVICE FOR TWISTING AND ALIGNING TERMINAL POSTS OF AN ELECTRICAL[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,654,403 10/1953 Roe140/119 Primary Examiner-Charles W. Lanham Assistant ExaminerE. M. CombsAttorneys-Alan C. Rose, Ronald W. Reagin, Alfred B. Levine and Joseph H.Golant ABSTRACT: A device for twisting as well as aligning the terminalposts of an electrical connector is disclosed. The device comprises anumber of tubular elements located to correspond to the terminal postsof a connector and having interi or cross sections similar to the crosssections of the posts. Each tubular element has a small pinion gearattached thereto and is located to operate with a rack so that the rackcan impart rotational motion to the tubular elements. A secondembodiment comprises laterally extending arms connected to the tubularelements which are movable for imparting rotational motion. 1

Patented May 25, 1971 3,580,297

3 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTORS FRANK G. \SPADONLJR. M/CHAEL I? KLEBA/VJOSEPH H. GOLA/VT ATTORNEY Patented May 25, 1971 3 Sheets-Sheet 2INVENTORS FRANK G. SPADO/V/,JR BY MICHAEL P. KLEBAN Iflig. 7

JOSEPH H 60L ANT ATTORNEY Patented May 25, 1971 .3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Fig.5

INVENTORS FRANK 6. SPAD ,JR. MICHAEL R KL N JOSEPH hf GOLAIVT ATTORNEYDEVICE FOR TWISTING AND ALIGNING TERMINAL POSTS OF AN ELECTRICALCONNECTOR BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention Thisinvention relates to a twisting and aligning device and moreparticularly to a device for twisting and aligning terminal posts of anelectrical connector.

2. Description of the Prior Art In 1958, a punchcard-controlled machinewas introduced on the market place that would automatically stripinsulation from a solid wire, properly route it on a wiring panel andthen wrap it around the desired terminal post of an electrical connectorthereby effecting a solderless wrap interconnection quickly andinexpensively. With the advent of the automatic wire-wrapping machinehowever came stringent requirements for the locations of the terminalposts. For example, the ends of the posts with which the automaticwire-wrapping machine makes contact must be positioned within a verysmall tolerance circle having a radius 0.010 inches centered at a truecenter position. Additionally, the automatic wirewrapping machinerequires that the electrical connector terminal posts must be ofsufiicient strength to withstand the load that is applied to it duringthe wire-wrapping operation.

In an effort to meet the stringent requirements of the automaticwire-wrapping operation an electrical connector having twisted terminalposts as'more fully described in copending application Ser. No. 760,561titled ELECTRICAL CONNEC- TOR WITH TWISTED POSTS assigned to theassignee of the present application, was developed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to manufacture an electrical connectorhaving the required characteristics the present invention was developedas a device for twisting and aligning tenninal posts of the electricalconnector and comprising means for engaging the terminal posts and meansfor rotating the engaging means whereby the terminal posts are twistedand aligned. .At the same time the tenninal posts are twisted they areconfined so as to be straightened. The twist not only anchors theterminal posts but actually strengthens the posts are twisted they areconfined so as to be straightened. The twist not only anchors theterminal posts but actually strengthens the posts at their most criticallocation, that is, that portion of the posts extending immediately awayfrom the base of the connector. Thus the two requirements, strength andstraightness, are met and require only one process operation during themanufacture of the electrical connector.

An object of the present invention is to provide a device for twistingterminal posts of an electrical connector.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a device 'whichnot only twists terminal posts of an electrical connector but alsostraightens the posts in a single operation.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a device fortwisting and straightening terminal posts which is simply constructed,inexpensive and easily operated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a perspective view of atwisting device illustrating the position of an electrical connectorbefore insertion into the twisting device.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged section view taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged section view taken along line FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is'a plan view of a second embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged section view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged section view taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 is a section view taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the embodimentshown in FIG. 5.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to the drawingswherein like referenced numerals designate like or corresponding partsthroughout the several views there is shown in FIG. 1 a view of thetwist device 10, a contact seating bar 12 and an electrical connector 14illustrated in a position just before inserting the connector into thetwisting device 10.

The connector 14 comprises a plastic base 16 having a plurality ofapertures (not shown) into which a plurality of terminal posts 18 isdisposed. The terminal posts I8 form bifurcated ends 19 just below asurface 20 in the base 16 and along the periphery of a longitudinalcavity 21. The longitudinal cavity is adapted to receive the terminalend of a printed circuit board (not shown) at which time the ends 19 ofthe posts 18 will make electrical contact with the circuitry of theprinted circuit board. A more detailed description of the electricalconnector is given in copending application Ser. No. 760,561 mentionedabove.

Located adjacent and above the electrical connector 14, as viewed inFIG. 1, is the contact seating bar 12 comprising a block 22 having anelongated male spacer 24 mounted thereto which is designed I The spacer24 has laterally extending protrusions 26 which come into abuttingengagement with the bifurcated ends 19 of the tenninal posts 18 forproperly seating the posts in their respective slots 27 formed along theperiphery of the cavity 21. The proper seating of the bifurcated ends 19insures that the length of the terminal posts 18 will be fully extendeddownward (relative to the manner in which the drawing is illustrated inFIG. 1). Additionally the spacer 24 is designed to size the bifurcatedends 19 so that the electrical connector 14 will provide the properresisting forces upon an inserting or withdrawing printed circuit board(not shown).

The twisting device 10 comprises a mounting block 30 comprised ofvarious subblock layers for ease of manufacture and will be describedhereinafter. Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3 which better illustrateelements within the mounting block 30, there is illustrated a pluralityof means for engaging the terminal posts of the electrical connector.The means in the preferred embodiments comprise tubular elements 32which are aligned in a column parallel to the longitudinal axis of themounting block 30 in a two-abreast fashion as clearly shown in FIG. 1(where the upper ends of the tubular elements are shown). The tubularelements are designed to receive the terminal posts in close contact sothat the ends 28, FIG. 1, of the posts are restrained from moving out ofposition during the twisting operation. As example, a preferredembodiment of an electrical connector has terminal posts with 0.025-inchsquare cross sections; the tubular elements 32 have squarecross-sectioned interiors 33, FIG. 7, with a side having a 0.029-inchdimension. The tubular elements extend in length about the same distanceas the terminal posts so that the terminal posts are restrained alongtheir entire length. However, it is to be noted that the tubularelements could be segmented so as to engage the terminal posts alongfirst end portions as they extend immediately away from the base 16(about 0.100 to 0.150 inches for a 0.560inch post) and at second endportions 28, thereby leaving the central portions (of about 0.400inches) unengaged.

Means for rotating the tubular elements 32 are provided in the preferredembodiment as shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 in the form of small piniongears 34 and racks 36, FIGS. 1 and 3. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 thepinion gears 34 are alternately disposed in a direction parallel to thelongitudinal axis of the block 30 as well as in a direction parallel tothe transverse axis of the block. Thus alternate tubular elements 32have their respective pinions attached at a first or upper locationdesignated 340 while the remaining alternate tubular elements 32 havetheir respective pinion gears 34 disposed at a second to be receivedbythe longitudinal cavity 21.

or lower position as depicted in the drawing and designated 34b.

The pinions 34 may be made of any suitable material, preferably standardcarbon steel, and may be attached to the tubular elements 32 in anysuitable fashion, preferably being welded into location. The racks 36are disposed parallel to the longitudinal axis of the block 30 tocorrespond to the upper and lower pinion positions 34a and 34b so as toform a pinionrack assembly with the upper racks being designated 36a andthe lower racks being designated 36b.

Referring again to FIG. 1 the racks 36 are supported primarily by themounting block 30 with first ends 37 being .guided by alignment blocks38. The opposite ends 39 are connected to a power source 40, which isdiagrammatically illustrated, for causing linear movement of the racks.It is to be noted that the racks may be electrically actuated oractuated by air pressure or hydraulic pressure, whichever is the moresuitable power source.

The mounting block 30 as mentioned earlier is layered and comprises atop plate 42, FIGS. 2 and 3, a bottom plate 44 and a supporting middleplate 46. Additionally, each side of the mounting block 30 has coverblocks 48 and 49, FIG. 3, located along both lateral sides of themounting block 30. The assembly is held together by screws 51, FIGS. 1and 3. The layered approach allows for simpler manufacturing of thetwisting device and for ease of access to the interior tubular elements32.

Operation of the twisting device is achieved by bringing together thetwisting device 10, the electrical connector 14 and the seating bar 12so that the terminal posts 18 are properly located in th'eir respectivetubular elements 32. Then the power source 40 is activated to supplylinear motion to the racks 36 which in turn impart rotational motion tothe pinion gears 34 causing simultaneous rotation of each of theterminal posts 18. The racks are moved a sufficient linear distance toeffect a 90 turn of the tubular elements 32 and thereby a 90 twist tothe terminal posts 18. This 90 twist provides sufficient interferencebetween the posts and the apertures in the base 16 so that the posts arebraced against any axial load applied to the ends 28 by the automaticwire-wrapping machine. At the same time, by having the tubular elements32 engage the terminal posts 18, the terminal posts are simultaneouslyaligned. Thus proper post retention and alignment are achieved in onemanufacturing operation.

Referring now to FIGS. 4, and 8, there is illustrated another embodimentof the present invention where the means for rotating the terminal postsengaging means comprises laterally extending arms 50 which are fixedlyconnected, such as by welding, at one end to tubular elements 52. Thetubular elements 52 are similar to the tubular elements 32 of of theFIG. 1 embodiment except that the arms 50 are substituted for the piniongears 34. The other ends of the laterally extending arms pivotallyconnect to operating rods 54, one rod disposed along each of the lateralsides of a mounting block 56. The mounting block 56 corresponds to themounting block in the FIG. ll embodiment except there are no coverblocks analogous to cover blocks 48 and 49. The operating rods 54 areconnected to a power source 58 which functions in an analogous manner tothe power source of the FIG. 1 embodiment so that generally linearmotion is imparted to the operating rods 54 which in turn impart arotating motion to the tubular elements 52 by way of the laterallyextending arms 50.

Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 6, the alternating positions of the arms 50are shown and are similar to the placement of the pinion gears 34 in theFIG. 1 embodiment. This arrangement facilitates sufficient clearance toenable close placement of the tubular elements in response to the closeplacement of the terminal posts in the electrical connector.

As with the FIG. 1 embodiment, the embodiment shown in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6allows the terminal posts of the electrical connector to be twisted aswell as straightened so that the connector meets the requirements placedupon it by the automatic wire-wrapping machine. It is also to beunderstood that various dimensional and form changes may be made such asexemplified by the two preferred embodiments disclosed herein withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by thefollowing claims.

We claim: l. A device for twisting terminal posts of an electricalconnector to retain and align said posts therein, comprising:

means for seating said terminal posts within said electrical connector;means for engaging said terminal posts as said posts extend from saidelectrical connector including driven means; and driving means forindividually rotating said driven means of said engaging means to twisteach terminal post as said posts extend from said electrical connectorfor retaining said posts within said electrical connector while aligningsaid posts with said electrical connector. 2. A device as claimed inclaim ll, wherein: said means for engaging said terminal posts comprisea plurality of tubular means having a cross-sectional openingcorresponding to the cross section of said terminal'posts; saidplurality of tubular means'is arranged to contact said terminal posts atthe points where said terminal posts extend from said electricalconnector; said driven means comprise gear means having said tubularmeans passing through the rotational axes thereof; said driving meanscomprise rack means engaging said gear means; and additionallycomprising power means for driving said rack means to rotate said gearmeans and tubular means thus twisting said terminal posts at the pointswhere said terminal posts extend from said electrical connector therebyretaining said posts therein and aligning said posts therewith. 3. Adevice as claimed in claim 1, wherein: said means for engaging saidterminal posts comprise a plurality of tubular elements having across-sectional opening corresponding to the cross section of saidterminal posts; said plurality of tubular means is arranged to contactsaid terminal posts at the points where said terminal posts extend fromsaid electrical connector; said driven means comprise a plurality of armmeans having said tubular means passing through the rotational axesthereof; said driving means comprises linkage means connecting said armmeans; and additionally comprising power means for driving said linkagemeans to rotate said arm means about the rotational axes thereof thuscausing said tubular means to twist said terminal posts at the pointswhere said terminal posts extend from said electrical connector forretaining said posts therein and aligning said posts therewith. 4. Adevice as claimed in claim 2, wherein: said plurality of tubular meansis arranged along at least one longitudinal axis corresponding to thelongitudinal axis of said electrical connector; said gear means aredisposed upon said tubular means, which form the rotational axesthereof, in first and second alternating positions; and said rack meansengages said gear means in said first position for rotating said gearmeans in one direction and engages said gear means in said secondposition for rotating said gear means in the same direction therebytwisting said terminal posts in one uniform direction. 5. A device asclaimed in claim 4, additionally comprising: support means includingfirst, second and third parallel plate means having aligned aperturespassing therethrough, in which said plurality of tubular means isrotatively mounted; said first and second parallel plate means havingsaid gear means therebetween for forming said first position; and

where the post extends from said electrical connector; and

driving means for individually rotating each of said engaging means apredetermined amount thus twisting said terminal posts at the pointwhere each post extends from said electrical connector to retain saidterminal posts within said electrical connector and to align saidterminal posts therewith.

1. A device for twisting terminal posts of an electrical connector toretain and align said posts therein, comprising: means for seating saidterminal posts within said electrical connector; means for engaging saidterminal posts as said posts extend from said electrical connectorincluding driven means; and driving means for individually rotating saiddriven means of said engaging means to twist each terminal post as saidposts extend from said electrical connector for retaining said postswithin said electrical connector while aligning said posts with saidelectrical connector.
 2. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein: saidmeans for engaging said terminal posts comprise a plurality of tubularmeans having a cross-sectional opening corresponding to the crosssection of said terminal posts; said plurality of tubular means isarranged to contact said terminal posts at the points where saidterminal posts extend from said electrical connector; said driven meanscomprise gear means having said tubular means passing through therotational axes thereof; said driving means comprise rack means engagingsaid gear means; and additionally comprising power means for drivingsaid rack means to rotate said gear means and tubular means thustwisting said terminal posts at the points where said terminal postsextend from said electrical connector thereby retaining said poststherein and aligning said posts therewith.
 3. A device as claimed inclaim 1, wherein: said means for engaging said terminal posts comprise aplurality of tubular elements having a cross-sectional openingcorresponding to the cross section of said terminal posts; saidplurality of tubular means is arranged to contact said terminal posts atthe points where said terminal posts extend from said electricalconnector; said driven means comprise a plurality of arm means havingsaid tubular means passing through the rotational axes thereof; saiddriving means comprises linkage means connecting said arm means; andadditionally comprising power means for driving said linkage means torotate said arm means about the rotational axes thereof thus causingsaid tubular means to twist said terminal posts at the points where Saidterminal posts extend from said electrical connector for retaining saidposts therein and aligning said posts therewith.
 4. A device as claimedin claim 2, wherein: said plurality of tubular means is arranged alongat least one longitudinal axis corresponding to the longitudinal axis ofsaid electrical connector; said gear means are disposed upon saidtubular means, which form the rotational axes thereof, in first andsecond alternating positions; and said rack means engages said gearmeans in said first position for rotating said gear means in onedirection and engages said gear means in said second position forrotating said gear means in the same direction thereby twisting saidterminal posts in one uniform direction.
 5. A device as claimed in claim4, additionally comprising: support means including first, second andthird parallel plate means having aligned apertures passingtherethrough, in which said plurality of tubular means is rotativelymounted; said first and second parallel plate means having said gearmeans therebetween for forming said first position; and said second andthird parallel plate means having said gear means therebetween forforming said second position.
 6. A device for twisting terminal posts inan electrical connector to retain and align said posts therein,comprising: support means; engaging means for engaging said terminalposts rotatively mounted within said support means; said engaging meansarranged in a pattern corresponding to the pattern of said terminalposts within said electrical connector for engaging each terminal postat the point where the post extends from said electrical connector; anddriving means for individually rotating each of said engaging means apredetermined amount thus twisting said terminal posts at the pointwhere each post extends from said electrical connector to retain saidterminal posts within said electrical connector and to align saidterminal posts therewith.